I Couldn't Say No

I'm finally back...sure did miss this place. Summer is a busy time around here so I put off blogging for a time. The store is keeping us busy and busy is GOOD! The tourists have hit the island and business has never been better.

I came across 2 old industrial typewriter stands this week.

This one...old blue paint with lots of wear.
To some, it may very well be a piece of junk that they would pass by, but how could I say ...


As you can see, it was a definite YES! It is currently in the store.



The sides flip up for extra work space.



The other in it's natural gray finish. Much cleaner and my husband actually said "Cool table, where did you get it?" I was impressed..maybe he's starting to get it.



And this cutie...oh my! A vintage red & cream kitchen stool.

It's official...I can't say NO to junk. :)

When Something Turns Up Missing...

A sweet little lamp



A pin cushion doll


A favorite vintage bedspread.. (my most recent theft)



Or even a chair or two (she took not only one, but the PAIR!)

I know right where to find it.
My daughter's room. She really should ask me first, don't you think? :)

Actually, I'm a little guilty of borrowing things from her as well, so I guess it's a trade off, but hey...I always ask before I take! :)

These are a few items I borrowed from her for store display, so I always have
strict orders to mark them Store Display- NFS. I guess having the same taste in junk has it's advantages.



Poor Myra..looks like someone tried to cut her off at the neck but we still think she's a beauty. I want to give her wooden dowel arms so she can hold necklaces. That's on my To Do List.

A Sale Like No Other

Earlier this week, I went along with Jane (my partner at The Attic) in search of treasure. In my wildest dreams, I would have never expected to experience what I was about to walk into. It was an abandoned house with contents that were auctioned off by San Diego County. Apparently, the person living in the house was participating in some sort of " illegal activity" and was now behind bars. The house was in shambles. I've seen houses like this on the show "Cops" , but would have never dreamed I would step inside one in real life! And of course, I forgot my camera, and my gloves! We spent a good portion of our time inside where there were boxes and boxes..mainly junk. :( Poker chips, gun ammunition and liquor bottles were strewn about. It was apparent that the police had searched the home. What a mess! I was beginning to think we had just wasted a trip and we started to leave through the garage. There was an old wooden chest, and as you junk sisters know, there are always treasures in trunks, right? We came across some unusual things...an old Shirley Temple doll that had seen better days, a tiny porcelain pipe, stacks of old cabinet cards of relatives, old books and more.

A 1903 John Deere Farmers Pocket Companion
A 1930's Cast Iron Radio Bank

A salesman sample horse collar...so rare!


A very cool World War II memorabilia book which we placed it inside this old wood firescreen frame for display in our Fourth of July window.


Found a cool old set of pink folding chairs and a single barrister industrial bookcase.

As I was looking at the items once we returned home, I couldn't help but wonder who the original owner might have been. Some of the books and photographs were from 1880. Who was this John Boone that wrote all those notes in the Farmer's Pocketbook? His weekly purchases from the general store, neatly written in pencil, the weather and hardships he experienced. He even practiced his signature numerous times on one page. I am hoping it will find a new home where it's appreciated.

So...when it was all said and done, I'm glad we went but I learned a lesson. Always bring the camera and a pair of gloves. (The first 3 pictured items will be listed on eBay this evening for a 10 day auction)

Industrial Chic

This style of decorating is really nothing new, but I've noticed a growing popularity for it over the past 5 years. Some refer to this style as "Industrial Chic" or "Urban Chic" I'm sure I can speak for many of you junk sisters out there who have passed up many an old metal stool or storage cabinet and are now saying, "I should have bought that!"
This opens up a whole new world for dealers looking for the next hot item to buy. I know I'm out there looking but these pieces but they are not easy to uncover.
They are just so great for display at the shows, in stores and in the home.
My favorite is the old medical cabinet pictured above. I don't own one, but I would have surely made this one mine had I lived close enough to pick it up. The eBay seller was in another state. :( They make wonderful display cabinets for a special collection. Or if you are lucky enough to have a large bath, they will hold your towels beautifully!


My husband picked up two, that's right... two of these old steel desks that were being tossed out over 5 years ago. These are still pretty common but a bear to move since they are so bulky. One he uses as his desk in the garage, and the other sits in the garage with piles of boxes on top. It was a project that he never got around too. It's very cool with painted red drawer fronts but the top is a mess and I doubt he will ever tackle it.


Drafting stools are very desirable and can bring a pretty penny as this one recently did on eBay.



I can picture this one as a kitchen island once it's refinished.


This little turquoise gem has been sitting on our deck for just about 2 years now and it could use a little TLC. I would love to have it for myself, but our little house is just too small and I can't fit another thing in. It would be a cute storage cabinet, a kitchen pantry..I've been using it to hold crafting supplies but it's been outdoors so I really need to save it from further weathering.


One of my favorites which I purchased on eBay around 3-4 years ago is this old medical cabinet in the original green paint. It was one of those things you might see on ebay, go completely ga-ga over and put in a ridiculous proxy bid to ensure it will be yours. I was nuts over it then, and still am today because I know I will never find another in this color. I won it for $53 which still amazes me. I may move this one to the bath to use as a little storage on the vanity.

The other piece we own is in my daughter's room. It's an old medical or dental cabinet in a pale cream and black. This was a thrift store find for $20. It holds her MAC on top and she loves it because she can wheel it around to any spot in her room.

Below are just a few neat pieces that have sold on eBay.



This neat old steel side table came out of a hospital. Imagine how many more of these there are floating around!





I have a story to tell about an old canvas laundry cart like the one pictured above. Last year, I was browsing Craig's List and came across an ad for old baskets and one old canvas basket. Well, the canvas basket was like the one picture here, only smaller. She was asking $60 for it but said she would take $50. I still thought it was a little high so I passed it up. Pass the tissue please...

Simon Lynge

I recently discovered Simon Lynge, an acoustic pop artist from Greenland after hearing one of his songs at one of my favorite stores. It's now my current favorite CD to play at the store. Hope we don't wear it out like we did the very first CD, right Jane???? :) You can sample the tunes at the link below...give it a listen!

http://cdbaby.com/cd/simonlynge